Inpatients

Your stay in hospital

A Clinical Charge Nurse helps a patient in bed read some information
On this page:
Before you arrive
When you arrive
On the ward
Facilities for patients
Going home

Before you arrive

About your visit

Whether you are a day patient or an inpatient coming to stay with us for one or more nights, we want to make things as easy and as stress-free as possible for you.

Please do not hesitate to ask questions and discuss any concerns you may have with the team responsible for your care. Your feedback is important to us and helps us to improve the services we provide for our patients.

Admissions letter

The letter you receive from the admissions office, or consultant’s secretary, inviting you to come into hospital explains what you need to do before coming in. Please read it carefully and follow any special instructions you are given to avoid any possible delays to your treatment. If for any reason you can’t come in on the date given in your admissions letter, please ring the contact number given in the letter immediately.

Hospital travel costs

If you are on a low income, you may be entitled to reclaim your travel expenses. Find out if you qualify.

Income support

If you are receiving income support, coming into hospital may affect the rate payable. You must tell your local benefits agency office that you are coming into hospital. Leaflet GL12, available from your local benefits agency office, provides advice and information. Further information can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Pensions

If you receive a pension, a relative or friend may cash orders for you while you are in hospital. If you are going to be in hospital for more than eight weeks, you must tell your local benefits agency office.

What to bring with you

You may wear comfortable day clothes if you are up and about but remember that you will have only a small locker to store clothing and other items.

If you are taking any medicines or tablets before you come into hospital, please bring them with you and give them to the ward staff when you arrive. Where appropriate, they will be returned to you when you leave. If you hold a special card giving details of current treatment, such as a steroid or warfarin card, please bring this with you.

Please bring:

  • two sets of nightwear
  • dressing gown
  • slippers
  • bath and hand towel
  • toiletries
  • box of tissues
  • reading and writing materials
  • clean comfortable day clothes
  • any medicines, tablets or inhalers you normally use
  • any glasses, dentures or hearing or walking aids you normally use

Please do not bring:

  • large amounts of cash
  • valuables
  • alcohol
  • television sets
  • radios or speakers

When you arrive

Please go to the reception desk in the hospital main entrance and staff will direct you to where you need to go. Try to arrange for a relative or friend to come with you. It is helpful to have someone there to take away any belongings you will not need. You will be asked for the name, address and telephone numbers of your doctor and your next of kin. Occasionally, you may have to wait for a bed to be vacated.

Patients with disabilities

There are parking bays for people with disabilities near the main entrance to the hospital. Drivers may take disabled or elderly patients to the main entrance where there is a drop-off area. Wheelchairs are available at the main entrance for transporting patients from the main entrance to the wards.

Interpreting service

If English is not your first language, please let the staff know who are caring for you if you require translation services.

Looking after you on the ward

When you arrive on your ward, please tell staff if:

  • you are taking any medication
  • you have any allergies
  • you have any outstanding outpatient appointments
  • you need help with your pension or benefit book
  • you need a medical certificate
  • you have any valuables

Each ward has its own routine and provides its own information for patients. Whichever ward you are on, the following information will apply.

On the ward

Every ward has a ward manager (a sister or charge nurse) who is responsible for the running of the ward. Please ask to see the ward manager if you have any questions or concerns.

A close up of a patient wrist wearing an ID bracelet and tracking green tag

Identity wristbands

You will be asked to wear an identity bracelet and a tracking wristband during your stay. The tracking wristband allows us to manage your admission though to discharge effectively. Please check that your details on the identity bracelet are correct and if they are not, please inform a member of staff. It is important that you always wear your identity bracelet during your stay in hospital.

Find out more about your digital wristband

Consent to operation

If you are going to have an operation, you will be asked to sign a consent form. The doctor will discuss your operation with you before you sign the form. If you have any concerns about your operation, please speak to your doctor or nursing staff as soon as possible. They will be happy to help you.

Your privacy and dignity

Read about the work we are doing to continuously improve the privacy and dignity of our patients.

Staff identification

All hospital staff wear a badge giving their name and role. If this is not obvious, please do not hesitate to ask staff to show you their badge. Nursing staff wear different styles and colours of uniform depending on their grade or function. The nursing staff will be happy to explain the different uniforms to you.

Stethoscope laying on a notebook alongside a biro pen

Ward rounds

Consultant ward rounds

Your consultant and other doctors will visit you regularly to discuss your medical condition and treatment. It might be helpful to make a note of any questions you want to ask.

Students

We welcome doctors and nurses who are completing their training and we hope you will agree to be seen by these students. You do, however, have the right to decline for the student to be present and this will not affect your treatment in any way.

Medical certificates

Medical certificates to cover your stay in hospital can be supplied by ward staff. Please tell your nurse if you require a medical certificate.

Visitors

Visiting hours vary throughout the hospital. See our visiting times section for all the details.

No smoking site

Smoking is not permitted in any of the hospital’s grounds or buildings.

First Rate Shop - blurred
Refreshments

Food and drink

The First Rate Café and Shop in the main entrance of the hospital is run by the Medway League of Friends.

Below Deck Galley is accessible to the public Monday to Friday 3pm to 7pm, and from 8am to 7pm at the weekend.

More details
Blue and red wheelchairs lined up in the hospital main entrance. Blurred.
Supporting you

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are available inside the main entrance of the hospital. You will need a £1 coin to use them, which you will get back when the wheelchair is returned.

Accessible changing and toilet facilities for adults
Accessible services

Changing Places

Our Changing Places toilet can be accessed by patients, carers and visitors who have a radar key.

Located: Atrium, Green Zone, Level 2

A chaplain sits opposite a patient on a ward. Blurred.
Supporting you

Hospital chapel

The hospital chapel, on the ground floor opposite Wakeley Ward, is open from 8am to 8pm each day.

Find out about our chaplaincy services
A man listens to music on his phone whilst having a blood transfusion. Blurred.
Keeping you entertained

Hospital Radio Medway

Medway Hospital Radio is a voluntary organisation providing a service from 4pm to midnight on weekdays and midday to midnight at weekends.

We take requests!

Find out more about our hospital radio station

Going home

Going home checklist

  • collect your hospital discharge letter for your GP
  • ask for any medical certificates you may need
  • collect your medicine
  • ask for any valuables you have left with ward staff
  • ask for any valuables or property left with the general office
  • make sure you know the date of any follow up day (outpatient) appointments you may have
  • remind the person collecting you to bring outdoor clothing for you
  • remember to take all your belongings.

Most patients are discharged in the afternoon on the day they are going home. On occasion we will ask you to wait in the discharge lounge prior to you going home, this allows other patients to be admitted to the ward. If you are being collected by a friend or relative, please ask ward staff to give you a likely discharge time.

Medicines

If you are prescribed medicines or tablets to continue at home, the hospital will provide an initial supply. If you need further supplies, you will be advised to contact your GP. Your prescription details will be included on the discharge letter sent to your GP.

Outpatient appointments

If you need a follow-up appointment, this will be arranged before you leave, and a letter of confirmation will be sent on to you.

Getting here

Parking, maps and transport
A hospital car park with people walking towards the main entrance. The Clock Tower of the building can be seen behind the trees.

Patients and visitors

Information for you
A doctor uses a hand gel dispenser at the hospital entrance

Contact us

Get in touch
A Staff Nurse in the Emergency Department speaks on the telephone